HC Deb 04 December 1906 vol 166 cc741-2
MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what accommodation exists for cavalry at Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE, Haddington)

These barracks were not intended for cavalry, the appropriation being as follows:—1 Infantry Battalion, 1 Depot Royal Field Artillery and Headquarters, West of Scotland Artillery. The latest returns show the following number of cavalry as quartered there:—5 officers, 151 men, 149 horses. They are the overflow of the regiment whose headquarters are at Piershill which is too small to hold an entire cavalry regiment.

MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)

Is it the intention of the Government to discontinue the Maryhill barracks as a cavalry station? Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration before coming to a decision the undesirability of leaving a large centre like Glasgow without cavalry?

MR. HALDANE

was understood to reply that the whole matter had been considered.

LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)

Will the troops be removed from Glasgow when the Scots Greys go from Edinburgh?

MR. HALDANE

It is highly probable.

MR. PIRIE

Will the House have an opportunity of discussing this question before a final discussion is taken?

MR. HALDANE

My hon. friend can move a vote of "No Confidence" on the Estimates.

MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to Lord Rosebery's threat, that if the cavalry are removed from Scotland he will become a Home Ruler?